Work flow management

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for accessing and advancing a work flow for a product. Pursuant to this, a wearable smart device can be utilized by users to access a work flow for a particular product, which can include identification, source, and destination information. The wearable smart device can include a hands-free user input so that the user can send a signal to advance the work flow upon completion of a task. The wearable smart device can further passively observe operations by the user to collect data regarding the products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/478,093 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/478,098 filed Mar.29, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to inventory work flow management and,more specifically, to smart accessories for inventory work flowmanagement.

BACKGROUND

A work flow can be used by companies to direct the movement of productsand actions of workers throughout the supply chain for a product. It canbe difficult to maintain an accurate and updated work flow, however, ifworkers have to manually retrieve and enter information to the supplychain. Additionally, utilizing a workstation or handheld tablet can slowthe efficiency of a worker by requiring a worker to carry less or putpackages down to enter or retrieve information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methodspertaining to work flow management. This description includes drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of smart glasses having an electronicassembly mounted thereto in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an electronic assembly in accordancewith several embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of storage locations for packages withassociated RFID tags within a retail facility in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of smart glasses and conveyance mechanismsin accordance with several embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart in accordance with several embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart in accordance with several embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart in accordance with several embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart in accordance with some embodiments.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity andhave not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensionsand/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also,common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in acommercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order tofacilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of thepresent invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have theordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressionsby persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above exceptwhere different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems,apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to accessing andadvancing a work flow for a product. More specifically, a wearable smartdevice can be utilized by users to access a work flow for a particularproduct, which can include identification, source, and destinationinformation. The information can be used to confirm that the particularproduct matches the intended product. The information can also be usedto identify a next step for the user in the work flow. Advantageously,the wearable smart device can include a hands-free user input so thatthe user can send a signal to advance the work flow upon completion of atask.

The wearable smart device can further passively observe operations bythe user to collect data regarding the products. The collected data canbe used to maintain and count inventory levels, create tasks to reorderproducts with low inventory, provide information regarding steps in thework flow to identify an error source, and so forth.

By another approach, the wearable smart device can be utilized tomonitor and update an inventory supply chain record for one or moreproducts that are within a retail facility and/or between retailfacilities, such as but not limited to retail stores where customersenter and purchase products, distribution centers, fulfillment centers,and/or other such retail facilities. A supply chain for a product caninclude shipping information, delivery vehicle information, packageinformation, package condition, source information, destinationinformation, storage information, and so forth. Each piece ofinformation supplies a portion of the supply chain and can be helpful intracking the product, as well as determining next steps, finding errors,and providing evidence.

To achieve these aims, an inventory work flow management system 10 andinventory supply chain record system are shown in FIGS. 1-11. The workflow management system 10 includes one or more wearable smart devices 12in the form of glasses 14. In some embodiments, the wearable smartdevices 12 are additionally or alternatively part of the inventorysupply chain record system that is configured at least in part to taskretail workers at one or more retail facilities with supply chain tasks.As shown in FIG. 1, the glasses 14 include a front frame 16 including abridge 18 configured to rest on the nose of a user and temple members 20extending rearwardly from lateral end portions 22 of the front frame 16.If desired, the temple members 20 can be pivotably mounted to the frontframe 16, such as by a hinge or the like, so that the glasses 14 can becollapsible to a storage configuration.

The glasses 14 further include an electronic assembly 24 mountedthereto. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic assembly 24 can include acontrol circuit 26; a transceiver 28, a hands-free user input 30configured to allow a user to send various signals, a local storagedevice 31, and an output device 32 configured to present information tothe user. So configured, the glasses 14 can be utilized by a user to aidin work flow management, as described below.

The glasses 14 can be operated by the user to communicate with a centralcontrol circuit 34 to receive or retrieve a work flow for a particularproduct 36 from a database device 38. The work flow can includeidentification information, source information, destination information,condition, one or more next tasks to be performed, completed tasks, andother product information. This information can be used by a user toinspect the product to determine whether the work flow information iscorrect. The user can then access the next task to be performed toefficiently advance the work flow.

The term control circuit refers broadly to any microcontroller,computer, or processor-based device with processor, memory, andprogrammable input/output peripherals, which is generally designed togovern the operation of other components and devices. It is furtherunderstood to include common accompanying accessory devices, includingmemory, transceivers for communication with other components anddevices, etc. These architectural options are well known and understoodin the art and require no further description here. The control circuit26, 34 may be configured (for example, by using correspondingprogramming stored in a memory as will be well understood by thoseskilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions,and/or functions described herein.

As discussed above, the glasses 14 can include the hands-free user input30. The user input 30 can take a variety of suitable forms as shown inFIG. 1 and is configured so that a user can send signals or data to thesystem 10 without having to put down objects or stop working tomanipulate a button or other switch.

In a first example, the user input 30 can be a blink sensor 40. Theblink sensor 40 is configured to identify a blink of the user to beactuated thereby. If desired, the blink sensor 40 can be configured tocompare the blink of the user to a stored blink, such as storage in thelocal storage device 31 or the database device 38, in order toauthenticate the user for commands requiring authorization. The blinksensor 40 can be mounted to an extension portion 42 of the glasses 14that extends to be disposed forward of an eye of the user. The extensionportion 42 can extend from the front frame 16 or one of the templemembers 20, as desired.

In a second example, the user input 30 can be a microphone 44 configuredto receive voice commands from the user. The microphone 44 can bemounted directly to the front frame 16 or one of the temple members 20,or can be mounted to an extension portion 46 extending from the frontframe 16 or temple member 20 to a position closer to the user's mouth.The control circuit 26 can be configured to recognize a variety ofverbal commands, as set forth in more detail below.

In a third example, the user input 30 can be a scanner 48 configured toread machine-readable codes 50, as shown in FIG. 3. The scanner 48 canbe mounted to the glasses 14 and oriented to scan codes 50 disposedgenerally forwardly of the user. So configured, a user can just look ata code 50 for a predetermined amount of time, such as 2 to 5 seconds, orthe like, the scanner 48 will read the code, and the control circuit 26will perform an action indicated by the code 50. For example, the actioncan be to signal the completion of the task, such as a pick, place,packaging, or other task. In other examples, the code 50 can cause ahelp signal to be sent to a supervisor or the like or can cause an alarmto sound. Advantageously, a plurality of codes 50 can be mounted to thewall in the work place, to shelving, or other conveniently location areathat can be easily viewed by the user.

By one approach, the user input 30 can be actuated by the user toindicate that a task in the work flow for the particular product 36 iscompleted. If desired, the user can also indicate with the user input 30when a task has been started. Accordingly, the user can utilize theglasses 14 to work more efficiently, without having to stop and updatethe work flow process using a hand manipulated switch or button.

As set forth above, the electronic assembly 24 includes the outputdevice 32. The output device 32 is configured to relay information tothe user, such as task information, work flow information, confirmation,etc. The output device 32 can take a variety of forms, as shown inFIG. 1. In a first form, the output device 32 can be a speaker 52disposed adjacent to the ear of the user. In a second form, the outputdevice 32 can be a display 54 extending at least partially in front ofan eye of the user. The display 54 can be mounted to the front frame 16or can be mounted to extend from the temple member 20. Morespecifically, the display 54 can be incorporated with or projected ontotraditional lenses 55 mounted to the front frame 16, which can berefractive and/or tinted as desired. Alternatively, the display can be aseparate member extending in front of the lenses 55 or instead thereof.

So configured, the user can be presented with the work flow and taskinformation via the output device 32, complete the task and send acompletion signal via the user input 30, and receive a confirmationsignal via the output device 32. Upon receiving the signal indicatingthat the task is complete, the system 10 can update the work flow forthe product 36. If desired, the system 10 can then cause a next task tobe sent and presented to the user via the output device 32. The user canalso indicate using the user input 30 acceptance of the task.

By a further approach, the system 10 can include location tracking forthe user. In one form, the electronic assembly 24 can include locationdetermination circuitry 57, such as global positioning or the like. Inanother form, the system 10 can track a user's location bymicro-locationing, telemetry, or the like. As such, the system 10 canmonitor the position of the user while the work flow is completed. Ifdesired, upon reception of a new task, or while a task is beingperformed, the system 10 can provide directions to the user, through theoutput device 32, to a next location. The next location can be adrop-off or pick-up location for the product 36.

By another approach, the system 10 can be configured to send a user workflow for processing a plurality of products 36. For example, a user canreceive and complete a task for a first product 36, such as moving theproduct 36 to a new location; then receive and complete a task for asecond product 36, and so forth. As such, a user can sequentially unloada shipment, restock inventory, etc. without having to stop to determinesubsequent tasks or confirming task completion.

In another form, the system 10 can feed shipping and product data to theglasses 14 when a shipment is received and the data can be displayed onor emitted from the output device 32. As such, the user can double checkthe accuracy of the shipment against the data to confirm an accuratecount and identity of products 36 in the shipment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electronic assembly 24 can furtherinclude an RFID scanner 56 and the products 36 can have associated RFIDtags 58 that contain identification information for the products 36,which can include item, shipping, specification data, for example. Soconfigured, the RFID scanner 56 can read the tags 58 of products 36 toidentify the products 36 for the user and the system 10. Further theinformation read from the product RFID tags 58 can be utilized toconfirm shipping and work flow information, i.e., confirm that the rightproducts were delivered in the shipment or are in the right location. Ifdesired, the control circuit 26 can be configured to scan for aparticular product with the RFID scanner 56 or can scan an entire palletor shipment.

RFID verification can advantageously be utilized in conjunction withsending the task completion signals as a secondary confirmation. In oneexample, the control circuit 26 can present a task of processing a newshipment of products 36 disposed on a pallet 60 or the like. The controlcircuit 26 can cause the product data to be presented to the user viathe output device 32 and the user can verify the products 36 on thepallet 60 using the data. The RIFD scanner 56 can automatically read theRIFD tags 58 of the products 36 to verify the data stored on the tags58.

If desired, one or both of the control circuits 26, 34 can maintain acount of the products 36, such as the products 36 handled by the user orwithin range of the RFID scanner 56, and can be configured to send a lowstock signal in response to determining that the count is at or below apredetermined level.

In a further form, storage locations 62 for the products 36, which canbe shelves or portions of shelves, pallets, lockers, and so forth, caninclude associated RFID tags 64 that can identify the storage locations62 to the system 10 and the user via the RIFD scanner 56. Accordingly,the RFID tags 64 can be used to identify a given storage location 62 ina task for the work flow. The user can use the RFID tag 64 data todetermine whether a particular storage location 62 is the correctstorage location 62 identified in the work flow, such as for pick-up orplacement.

By one approach as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic assembly 24can further include a camera 66 mounted to the glasses 14 and orientedto capture media, such as images and/or video, forwardly thereof. Thecamera 66 can be manually operated, such as via the user input 30, orcould have a dedicated control, if desired. The camera 66 can also beautomatically operated by the control circuit 26. In either approach,one or both of the control circuits 26, 34 can be configured to analyzethe images/video to count the products 36 handled by the user. The countcan then be used to determine an inventory level or count for theproducts 36. If desired, the control circuits 26, 34 can be configuredto send a low stock signal in response to determining that the inventorylevel or count is at or below a predetermined level.

As set forth above, the system 10 described herein can be utilized toprovide the work flow to users through the glasses 14. Advantageously,the system 10 can also track and record actions/tasks performed by theuser with associated documentation in the form of RFID readings andcaptured images/video. As such, if an error is discovered regarding aparticular work flow, such as a product missing or placed in the wrongarea, the system 10 can be utilized to determine the steps taken by theproduct to find the error in the work flow.

As set forth above, the glasses 14, and specifically the electronicassembly 24 and control circuit 26 thereof, can additionally oralternatively be part of an inventory supply chain record system. Theglasses 114 can be utilized to access via the transceiver 28, maintain,and update a supply chain record for the product 36. The inventorysupply chain record can include any or all of SKU information for theproduct, a description of the product, a destination of the product,dimensions of the products, vendors of the product, a condition of theproduct, a source of the product, a delivery vehicle used for product, amanifest for the product, and/or a purchase order for the product.Further, the control circuit 26 can be configured to update any of theinformation for the product 36. Additionally, the supply chain recordscan be stored on the local storage 31 and/or the database device 38. Thedatabase stores multiple different supply chain records that eachcorrespond to one of at least tens of thousands of products beingdistributed to at least a particular retail facility. In someembodiments, the database maintains different supply chain records fortens of millions of products distributed, being distributed or to bedistributed to and/or between multiple different retail facilities(e.g., manufacturers, distribution centers, fulfillment centers, retailstores, etc.). In one form, the supply chain record can be stored on thedatabase device 38, so that multiple users can retrieve or receive thesupply chain records therefrom, update the supply chain records, andsend the updated supply chain records to the central control circuit 34to be stored on the database device 38.

Through the electronic assembly 24 users at the retail facilities canaccess, confirm and modify one or more of the supply chain records. Eachsupply chain record corresponds to at least one particular productwithin a retail facility or being shipped between retail facilities. Insome instances, a supply chain record corresponds to a group of multipleof products that are to be moved along the same supply route. In otherembodiments, each supply chain record corresponds to a single specificproduct. As such, when a group of products are to be moved along thesame supply route multiple different supply chain records can includethe same supply route information (e.g., locations, destinations,status, etc.).

In some embodiments, the electronic assembly 24 includes the controlcircuit 26, the transceiver 28, the hands-free user input 30, and othersuch systems. The control circuit is configured to receive, from thehands-free user input operated by the user while at a location of theset of locations along the supply route, an indication to retrieve asupply chain record corresponding to a particular product of the tens ofthousands or more products tracked by the inventory supply chain recordsystem using the multiple supply chain records corresponding to thedifferent products or sets of products. The supply route defines atleast a set of locations, which typically include an initial locationand a destination location, to which the particular product is to travelbetween the initial location to the destination location. The controlcircuit 26 can retrieve, via the transceiver 28, the first supply chainrecord and cause at least a portion of the retrieved supply chain recordto be presented to the user. A user input can be received, through theelectronic assembly operated by the user. For example, the input can beregarding or define a condition of the particular product at thelocation of the set of locations along the supply route, an indicationof an error in the supply chain record, a correction of an error in thesupply chain, content and/or information to be added to the supply chainrecord (e.g., status information, audio content, image content, videocontent, and/or other such information), a change to the supply chainrecord (e.g., a change to a specified location along the supply route, achange to a current location of the product, instructions or cautions tobe considered at subsequent locations and/or by other workers, and/orother such changes), and other inputs. In some embodiments, the controlcircuit 26 can update the supply chain record based on the user input,and can communicate the updated supply chain record to be stored on thedatabase. In other implementations and/or conditions, the controlcircuit may communicate the update received from the worker to thedatabase causing the database to update the supply chain record.

As discussed above, the electronic assembly 24 can include a microphone44, such that the user can record an audio message regarding the product36 and update the supply chain record with the audio message. Morespecifically, the user can record one or more details regarding theproduct 36, such as identification information, a condition of theproduct 36, a time of delivery, a time of drop-off, or other shippinginformation. By a further approach, the control circuit 26 can beconfigured to operate in response to voice commands, as described above.As such, the user can update information in the supply chain recordusing a voice command.

Further, in the embodiments where the electronic assembly 24 includesthe camera 66, the user can record an image or video regarding theproduct 36 and update the supply chain record with the image or video.For example, the user can capture an image of the delivery vehicle, theproduct 36 to show the condition thereof, and so forth.

In some embodiments, as set forth above, the glasses 14 can include thedisplay 54, such as on the lens 55 or separate therefrom. So configured,the user can utilize the display 54 to show the supply chain records,current information, updates, and the like.

The electronic assembly 24 to receive inputs from the works. Theseinputs can include, in some instances, identification of errors and/orcorrections of errors. As such, in some embodiments, the control circuitis configured to receive, through the electronic assembly operated bythe user, an input regarding an error in the supply chain record, and tofurther update the supply chain record to correct the error. In someembodiments, the control circuit can further log or track the correctionwithin the supply chain record and/or cause a log to be generated.Further, the control circuit can cause the updated supply chain recordto be communicated and stored on the database.

By some approaches as shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 26 can beconfigured and authorized to send command signals to secondary devices68, such as any suitable conveyors, any suitable autonomous vehicles orrobots 72, and the like. In one example, the supply chain record caninclude a destination for the product 36 and, if applicable, one or morenext or subsequent locations of a set of locations along a supply routefor the particular product or products to the final destinationlocation. The supply route defines at least the set of locations,including an initial location and a destination location, to which theproduct is to travel in reaching the destination location. The locationscan include a storage location in a distribution center, a staging areaat the distribution area, one or more locations along one or moreconveyor system, positioned in a transport vehicle, a storage locationin a subsequent fulfillment center, a shipping area of the fulfillmentcenter, a packaging area of a fulfillment center, a delivery stagingarea of a fulfillment center, a delivery vehicle, a back storage area ofa retail store, a pick staging area of a retail store, a shelf on asales floor of the retail store, a customer's residence, and other suchlocations through which a product may be routed to reach a finaldestination location. The supply chain record can be predefined withsome or all of the locations along the supply route. In someimplementations, however, the supply route may be modified over timewith new or revised locations. For example, a preliminary finaldestination for a particular product may be a fulfillment center until acustomer orders that product for delivery at their residence orbusiness. Accordingly, the supply route may be updated with one or morelocations between the fulfillment center and the final destination ofthe customer's delivery location. The supply chain record for thatproduct may further be updated by a worker at any one of the locationbased on input from the electronic assembly. If the user is tasked withtransporting the product 36 to a next location or the destination, theuser can instruct the control circuit 26 with the user input 30 to senda command signal to the secondary device 68 via the transceiver 28. Thesecondary device 68 will then operate and transport the product 36 to adesired location. For example, a conveyor will operate to convey theproduct 36 therealong or an autonomous vehicle/robot will transport theproduct 36 to a next programmed location.

In some embodiments, a work flow management apparatus is describedherein that includes a frame having a pair of temple arm membersconfigured to rest on ears of a user and a front support having a bridgeportion configured to rest on a nose of a user. The head apparatusfurther includes an electronic assembly mounted to the frame, where theelectronic assembly includes a control circuit, a transceiver, an outputdevice, and a hands-free user input. The control circuit is configuredto receive a task in a work flow for a particular product via thetransceiver and present the task to a user using the output device; and,after completion of the task, the hands-free user input is configured tobe operated by a user to send a signal using the transceiver to indicatethat the task in the work flow is complete.

By several approaches, the hands-free user input can be a sensordisposed adjacent to an eye of the user when the frame is worn that isconfigured to detect blinking by the user to send the signal.

By some approaches, the hands-free user input can be a microphone toinput voice commands through the microphone to the control circuit tosend the signal.

By several approaches, the hands-free user input can be a scannerconfigured to scan machine-readable codes and the control circuit can beconfigured to interpret the machine-readable codes scanned by thescanner. By further approaches, the user can orient the scanner on atask complete machine-readable code to send the signal. By furtherapproaches, the user can orient the scanner on a help machine-readable;and the control circuit is configured to generate a help signal inresponse to interpreting the help machine-readable code.

By some approaches, the electronic assembly can further include acamera; and the control circuit can be configured to maintain a count ofinventory handled by the user and send a low stock signal for aparticular product in response to determining that inventory for theparticular product is below a predetermined number.

By several approaches, the products include RFID tags; the electronicassembly comprises a RIFD scanner configured to scan the RFID tags ofthe products; and the control circuit is configured to send a low stocksignal in response to determining that a number of RFID tags counted fora particular product is below a predetermined number. By furtherapproaches, storage locations can include RFID tags and the controlcircuit can be configured to identify a particular product in aparticular storage location based on scans from the RFID scanner;receive or retrieve a work flow for the particular product; anddetermine whether the particular storage location is a correct storagelocation identified in the work flow for the particular product.

By some approaches, the frame can include a lens mounted to the frontsupport; and the output device can be a display on the lens.

In several embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 5-10, a method 100 formanaging a work flow is described herein that includes disposing 102 aframe on the head of a user, the frame having a pair of temple armmembers configured to rest on ears of the user and a front supporthaving a bridge portion configured to rest on a nose of the user;receiving 104 a task for a work flow for a particular product at acontrol circuit of an electronic assembly mounted to the frame;presenting 106 the task to a user using an output device of theelectronic assembly; receiving 108 an operation from a hands-free userinput of the electronic assembly mounted to the frame indicating thatthe task is complete; and sending 110 a signal with the control circuitusing a transceiver of the electronic assembly to indicate that the taskin the work flow is complete, in response to the operation of thehands-free user input.

By some approaches, receiving 108 the operation of the hands-free userinput can include detecting blinking by the user with a sensor disposedadjacent to an eye of the user when the frame is worn. By otherapproaches, receiving 108 the operation of the hands-free user input caninclude receiving a voice command to send the signal through amicrophone of the electronic assembly and analyzing the voice commandwith the control circuit. By yet other approaches, receiving 108operation of the hands-free user input can include scanning amachine-readable code indicating a complete task with a scanner of theelectronic assembly, and interpreting the machine-readable code with thecontrol circuit to send the signal.

By several approaches and as shown in FIG. 6, the method 100 can furtherinclude scanning 112 a machine-readable code indicating that help isneeded with a scanner of the electronic assembly; interpreting 114 themachine-readable code with the control circuit; and generating 116 ahelp signal with the control circuit in response to interpreting themachine-readable code.

By some approaches and as shown in FIG. 7, the method 100 can furtherinclude recording 118 media of inventory handled by the user with acamera of the electronic assembly; analyzing 120 the media with thecontrol circuit to determine stock levels of the inventory; and sending122 a low stock signal for a particular product of the inventory inresponse to the control circuit determining that the stock level for theparticular product is below a predetermined number.

By several approaches and as shown in FIG. 8, the method 100 can furtherinclude scanning 124 RFID tags of products with a RIFD scanner of theelectronic assembly to determine a count of the products; and sending126 a low stock signal with the control circuit in response to thecontrol circuit determining that the count for a particular product ofthe products is below a predetermined number.

By some approaches and as shown in FIG. 9, the method 100 can furtherinclude scanning 128 RFID tags of storage locations and products with aRFID scanner of the electronic assembly; identifying 130 a particularproduct of the products in a particular storage location of the storagelocations with the control circuit based on scans from the RFID scanner;receiving or retrieving 132 a work flow for the particular product withthe control circuit; and determining 134 whether the particular storagelocation is a correct storage location identified in the work flow forthe particular product with the control circuit.

By several approaches and as shown in FIG. 10, the method 100 canfurther include scanning 136 RFID tags of a plurality of productsreceived at a location with a RFID scanner of the electronic assembly;receiving or retrieving 138 work flow data for the plurality of productswith the control circuit; and 140 determining whether the plurality ofproducts match the work flow data based on scans from the RFID scanner.

Some embodiments provide an inventory supply chain record systemconfigured to task retail workers at a retail facility, provide supplychain record information to the workers and/or receive inputs regardingsupply chain records. In some embodiments, the inventory supply chainrecord system comprises a database having a supply chain record for aproduct stored thereon; a frame having a pair of temple arm membersconfigured to rest on ears of a user and a front support having a bridgeportion configured to rest on a nose of a user; and an electronicassembly mounted to the frame. The electronic assembly includes acontrol circuit; a transceiver; and a hands-free user input. The usercan operate the electronic assembly to retrieve or receive the supplychain record for the product, update the supply chain record, and sendthe updated supply chain record to the control circuit to be stored onthe database.

By several approaches, the electronic assembly can further include amicrophone and a memory, such that the user can record an audio messageregarding the product and update the supply chain record to include theaudio message. The audio message may be associated with one or more timestamps, events, locations or other information corresponding to when theaudio message was recorded. By further approaches, the hands-free userinput can be voice commands to the control circuit that are capturedusing the microphone.

By some approaches, the electronic assembly further includes a camera,such that the user can record an image or video regarding the productand update the supply chain record with the image or video. Again, theimage and/or video may be correlated within the supply chain record withone or more time stamps, events, locations or other informationcorresponding to when the image and/or video was recorded.

By several approaches, the frame can include a lens attached thereto soas to be disposed forwardly of a user's eye during use, and theelectronic assembly is configured to utilize the lens as a display.

By some approaches, the supply chain record can include a destinationlocation along the supply route for the product, and the control circuitis configured to send a control signal to a conveyance mechanism to movethe product to a next location specified in the supply chain recordtowards the destination for further processing. In some embodiments, thecontrol circuit is configured to receive, through the electronicassembly operated by the user, an input regarding an error in a supplychain recorded. The control circuit can further update the supply chainrecord to correct the error, and in some instances log the correction.The log of the correction may be incorporated within the supply chainrecord. Typically, the control circuit causes the further updated supplychain record to be communicated to the database to be stored on thedatabase.

In several embodiments and as shown in FIG. 11, a method 200 forupdating a supply chain record is described herein that includesaccessing 202 a database with a control circuit of an electronicassembly mounted to a frame having a pair of temple arm membersconfigured to rest on ears of a user and a front support having a bridgeportion configured to rest on a nose of a user; retrieving 204 a supplychain record for a product from the database; updating 206 the supplychain record with a user input of the electronic assembly; and sending208 the updated supply chain record to be stored on the database.

Some embodiments provide a method of updating a supply chain record. Thedatabase is accessed with the control circuit 26 of the electronicassembly 24 mounted to a frame 15 having a pair of temple arm members 20configured to rest on ears of a user and a front support having a bridgeportion 18 configured to rest on a nose of a user. An indication toretrieve a supply chain record corresponding to a product of the atleast tens of thousands of products is received from a hands-free userinput of the electronic assembly being operated by the user at alocation of a set of locations along a supply route corresponding tothat product, and which is typically specified with the supply chainrecord. The supply chain record for the product is retrieved from thedatabase. The control circuit can cause at least a portion of theretrieved supply chain record to be presented to the user through theelectronic assembly 24. A user input is receiving through the electronicassembly operated by the user regarding a condition of the product atthe location of the set of locations along the supply route. The supplychain record can be updated based on the user input provided to theelectronic assembly. In some embodiments, the updated supply chainrecord is communicated to the database to be stored on the database.

By some approaches, the method 200 can further include recording anaudio message regarding the product using a microphone of the electronicassembly; and wherein updating 206 the supply chain record comprisesupdating the supply chain record with the audio message. For example,some embodiments receive, through a microphone of the electronicassembly, an audio message regarding the product using a microphone ofthe electronic assembly. The audio message regarding the product can berecorded, and the supply chain record can be updated with the audiomessage.

By several approaches, the method 200 can further receive, through amicrophone of the electronic assembly, voice commands. The controlcircuit can be operated 210 to implement the voice commands detected bythe microphone.

By some approaches, the method 200 can further include recording animage or video with a camera of the electronic assembly; and whereinupdating 206 the supply chain record comprises updating the supply chainrecord with the image or video.

By several approaches, the frame can include a lens attached thereto soas to be disposed forwardly of a user's eye during use, and the method200 can further include displaying 212 information from the supply chainrecord on the lens. In some embodiments, at least a portion of thesupply chain record can be presented to the user by displaying 212information from the supply chain record on the lens attached to theframe wherein the lens is configured to be disposed forwardly of auser's eye during use.

By some approaches, the supply chain record can include a destinationfor the product, and the method 200 can further include sending 214 acontrol signal to a conveyance mechanism using the control circuit tomove the product to a next location in the supply chain record towardsthe destination for further processing. Some embodiments additionally oralternatively communicate, from the electronic assembly controlled bythe control circuit, a control signal to a conveyance mechanism that isseparate from the electronic assembly causing the conveyance mechanismto move the product to a subsequent location as defined within thesupply chain record.

In some embodiments, an inventory work flow management apparatus fortasking retail store workers comprises a frame having a pair of templearm members configured to rest on ears of a user and a front supporthaving a bridge portion configured to rest on a nose of the user, anelectronic assembly mounted to the frame. The electronic assemblycomprises a control circuit, a transceiver, an output device, ahands-free user input, and a RFID scanner configured to scan RFID tagson storage locations and products. The control circuit is configured toreceive a task in a work flow for a particular product via thetransceiver and present the task to the user using the output device,receive, from the hands-free user input operated by the user anindication of a completion of the task, identify the particular productin a particular storage location based on scans from the RFID scanner,determine whether the particular storage location is a correct storagelocation identified in the work flow for the particular product toconfirm the completion of the task, and send a signal using thetransceiver to indicate that the task in the work flow is complete.

A method for managing a work flow of retail store workers comprisesdisposing a frame on a head of a user, the frame having a pair of templearm members configured to rest on ears of the user and a front supporthaving a bridge portion configured to rest on a nose of the user,receiving a task for a work flow for a particular product at a controlcircuit of an electronic assembly mounted to the frame, presenting thetask to the user using an output device of the electronic assembly,receiving an operation from a hands-free user input of the electronicassembly mounted to the frame indicating a completion of that the task,identifying the particular product in a particular storage locationbased on scans from a RFID scanner coupled to the frame and configuredto scan RFID tags on storage locations and products, determining whetherthe particular storage location is a correct storage location identifiedin the work flow for the particular product to confirm the completion ofthe task; and sending a signal with the control circuit using atransceiver of the electronic assembly to indicate that the task in thework flow is complete, in response to the operation of the hands-freeuser input.

Some embodiments provide inventory supply chain record systemsconfigured to task retail workers at a retail facility. The inventorysupply chain record system, in some implementations, comprises: adatabase storing supply chain records each corresponding to one of atleast tens of thousands of products being distributed to at least aparticular retail facility; a frame having a pair of temple arm membersconfigured to rest on ears of a user and a front support having a bridgeportion configured to rest on a nose of the user; an electronic assemblymounted to the frame, the electronic assembly comprising: a controlcircuit; a transceiver; and a hands-free user input; wherein the controlcircuit is configured to: receive, from the hands-free user inputoperated by the user at a first location of a set of locations along asupply route, an indication to retrieve a first supply chain recordcorresponding to a first product of the at least tens of thousands ofproducts, wherein the supply route defines at least the set oflocations, including an initial location and a destination location, towhich the first product is to travel between the initial location to thedestination location; retrieve, via the transceiver, the first supplychain record and cause at least a first portion of the first supplychain record to be presented to the user; receive, through theelectronic assembly operated by the user, a user input regarding acondition of the first product at the first location of the set oflocations along the supply route; update the first supply chain recordbased on the user input; and communicate the updated first supply chainrecord to be stored on the database.

Further, some embodiments provide methods for updating a supply chainrecord, comprising: accessing a database with a control circuit of anelectronic assembly mounted to a frame having a pair of temple armmembers configured to rest on ears of a user and a front support havinga bridge portion configured to rest on a nose of a user; receiving, froma hands-free user input of the electronic assembly being operated by theuser at a first location of a set of locations along a supply route, anindication to retrieve a first supply chain record corresponding to afirst product of the at least tens of thousands of products; retrievinga first supply chain record for the first product from the database andcausing at least a first portion of the first supply chain record to bepresented to the user; receiving, through the electronic assemblyoperated by the user, a user input regarding a condition of the firstproduct at the first location of the set of locations along the supplyroute; updating the first supply chain record based on the user inputprovided to the electronic assembly; and communicating the updated firstsupply chain record to be stored on the database.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of othermodifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made withrespect to the above described embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, andcombinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventiveconcept.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inventory work flow management apparatus fortasking retail store workers, the apparatus comprising: a frame having apair of temple arm members configured to rest on ears of a user and afront support having a bridge portion configured to rest on a nose ofthe user; an electronic assembly mounted to the frame, the electronicassembly comprising: a control circuit; a transceiver; an output device;a hands-free user input; and a RFID scanner configured to scan RFID tagson storage locations and products; wherein the control circuit isconfigured to: receive a task in a work flow for a particular productvia the transceiver and present the inventory task to the user using theoutput device; receive, from the hands-free user input operated by theuser, an indication of a completion of the inventory task; identify theparticular product in a particular storage location based on scans fromthe RFID scanner; determine whether the particular storage location is acorrect storage location identified in the work flow for the particularproduct to confirm the completion of the inventory task; and send asignal using the transceiver to indicate that the inventory task in thework flow is complete.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehands-free user input comprises a sensor disposed adjacent to an eye ofthe user when the frame is worn, the sensor configured to detectblinking by the user, wherein blinking is configured to send the signal.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hands-free user input comprisesa microphone, and the control circuit is configured to receive voicecommands through the microphone to send the signal.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the hands-free user input comprises a scannerconfigured to scan machine-readable codes, the control circuit isconfigured to interpret the machine-readable codes scanned by thescanner, and the user can orient the scanner on a task completemachine-readable code to send the signal.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the hands-free user input comprises a scanner configured to scanmachine-readable codes, the control circuit is configured to interpretthe machine-readable codes scanned by the scanner, and the user canorient the scanner on a help machine-readable code; and the controlcircuit is configured to generate a help signal in response tointerpreting the help machine-readable code.
 6. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the electronic assembly further comprises a camera; and thecontrol circuit is configured to maintain a count of inventory handledby the user and send a low stock signal for a product in response todetermining that inventory for the product is below a predeterminednumber.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit isconfigured to send a low stock signal in response to determining that anumber of RFID tags counted for a product is below a predeterminednumber.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in response to determiningthat the particular storage location is not the correct storagelocation, the control circuit is configured to retrieve one or more laststeps in the work flow for the particular product to find an error. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is furtherconfigured to receive or retrieve work flow data for a plurality ofproducts received at a location and determine whether the plurality ofproducts match the work flow data based on scans from the RFID scanner.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a lens mountedto the front support; and the output device comprises a display on thelens.
 11. A method for managing inventory work flow of retail storeworkers, the method comprising: disposing a frame on a head of a user,the frame having a pair of temple arm members configured to rest on earsof the user and a front support having a bridge portion configured torest on a nose of the user; receiving an inventory task for a work flowfor a particular product at a control circuit of an electronic assemblymounted to the frame; presenting the inventory task to the user using anoutput device of the electronic assembly; receiving an operation from ahands-free user input of the electronic assembly mounted to the frameindicating a completion of that the inventory task; identifying theparticular product in a particular storage location based on scans froma RFID scanner coupled to the frame and configured to scan RFID tags onstorage locations and products; determining whether the particularstorage location is a correct storage location identified in the workflow for the particular product to confirm the completion of theinventory task; and sending a signal with the control circuit using atransceiver of the electronic assembly to indicate that the inventorytask in the work flow is complete, in response to the operation of thehands-free user input.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving theoperation of the hands-free user input comprises detecting blinking bythe user with a sensor disposed adjacent to an eye of the user when theframe is worn.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving theoperation of the hands-free user input comprises receiving a voicecommand to send the signal through a microphone of the electronicassembly and analyzing the voice command with the control circuit. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein receiving operation of the hands-freeuser input comprises scanning a machine-readable code indicating acomplete task with a scanner of the electronic assembly, andinterpreting the machine-readable code with the control circuit to sendthe signal.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: scanning amachine-readable code indicating that help is needed with a scanner ofthe electronic assembly; interpreting the machine-readable code with thecontrol circuit; and generating a help signal with the control circuitin response to interpreting the machine-readable code.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: recording media of inventory handled bythe user with a camera of the electronic assembly; analyzing the mediawith the control circuit to determine stock levels of an inventory; andsending a low stock signal for a product of the inventory in response tothe control circuit determining that the stock level for the product isbelow a predetermined number.
 17. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: scanning RFID tags of products with the RFID scanner of theelectronic assembly to determine a count of the products; sending a lowstock signal with the control circuit in response to the control circuitdetermining that the count for the products is below a predeterminednumber.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising retrieving one ormore last steps in the work flow for the particular product to find anerror with the control circuit, in response to determining that theparticular storage location is not the correct storage location.